Powder Pigs were spotted rummaging around in the deep snow today, snorting and plowing their way down through the steep trees.
The storm slab will likely remain sensitive to human triggering, use caution stepping out into new terrain above tree line.
The Jan 29th interface (surface hoar 5-15mm, sun crust on steep solar) is buried up to 80cm deep and is possible to trigger on open slopes without previous activity.
Expect loose dry avalanches in steep terrain that is sheltered from the wind. These have the potential to step down to the Jan 29 interface and gain significant mass.
~35cm of snow has fallen with 30-60km/hr South winds and gradually increasing temperatures, which has promoted snow settlement and slab formation. Expect storm slabs to be reactive to human triggering, especially in wind loaded areas.
Sunday will be a mix of sun, cloud and 30-60km/hr Southerly winds. The freezing level will be up to 1500m with an alpine high of -3. More snow and wind on Monday as temperatures cool off again.
~35cm of new snow, combined with 30-60km/hr South wind formed fresh storm slabs, especially were wind loaded. 50-80cm now buries the drought interfaces from Jan 29th - surface hoar (5-15mm) on sheltered/shady slopes, wind affect in exposed areas and a sun crust on steeper solar aspects. The Dec 1 crust/facet combo is down 1.5-2.5m.
A report of a skier controlled size 2.0 in the Hospital Bowl area on Saturday, failing on the most recent storm interface, 20-40cm deep, 20m wide and running ~100m. No involvement.
Several other reports of size 2.0 naturals within the past 24hrs.
Avalanche control on Friday night produced results mainly in the 2-2.5 range with several up to size 3.0.
